Free drill rig daily pre-start checklist
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A drill rig daily pre-start checklist is a form used to inspect and document a drill rig's condition before use. This page explains what to include in a drill rig pre-start inspection, how to use the template, and offers a free PDF-ready drill rig pre-start checklist you can download and use straight away. No sign-up required to use the form.
Last updated: 2026-03-26 · MapTrack
Commercial Director
How to use: Fill drill rig and operator details, then mark Pass/Fail for each item, add notes where needed, sign and date, then save as PDF (Print, then Save as PDF in your browser).
- ✓ PDF-ready. Open and print to PDF
- ✓ Covers mast, drill head, hydraulics, tracks, cab, safety devices and engine
- ✓ Free to use with or without MapTrack
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See the first part of the checklist below. Enter your email above to download the full drill rig pre-start inspection form (PDF-ready).
What is a drill rig pre-start checklist?
A drill rig daily pre-start checklist is a structured form used to inspect a drill rig before it is operated each day or shift. Drill rigs are used across civil construction, mining, geotechnical investigation and foundation work to bore, drive or drill into the ground. Because of the significant forces involved and the complexity of the mast, drill head, hydraulics and rotating components, a thorough pre-start is essential. The checklist helps operators and supervisors confirm the drill rig is safe and fit for use, reducing the risk of mechanical failures, accidents and non-compliance. It covers everything from the tracks and undercarriage to the mast, drill head, hydraulics, cab controls and safety devices, catching problems such as worn wire ropes, hydraulic leaks or faulty emergency stops before they lead to costly downtime or incidents.
Benefits of using a drill rig pre-start checklist
- Fewer breakdowns: catch mast, hydraulic and drill head issues early before they become costly repairs or unplanned downtime.
- Operator safety: verify guards, emergency stops, handrails and safety devices are in place before the drill rig is used.
- WHS compliance: meet Work Health and Safety requirements for drill rig operation and demonstrate due diligence for plant inspection.
- Preventive maintenance: extend the life of your drill rig by identifying wear on wire ropes, hydraulic hoses and undercarriage components before they fail.
- Consistency across drill crews: a standardised checklist ensures critical checks are not missed regardless of which operator or crew is running the rig.
- Recordkeeping for audits: maintain a verifiable history of pre-start inspections for audits, insurance claims and incident investigations.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you move from paper or static PDFs to digital forms in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Book a demo to see digital pre-starts and forms in MapTrack.
What to include in a drill rig pre-start checklist
Our free drill rig daily inspection form includes:
- Drill rig details: asset ID, make/model, serial number, hours reading.
- Operator details: name, licence/ticket number, date, site/location.
- Walk-around: general condition and damage, visible leaks, ground conditions and stability.
- Engine and fluids: engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, fuel, air filter, DEF/AdBlue (if fitted).
- Tracks and undercarriage: track tension, sprockets, rollers and idlers, track pads, no debris.
- Mast and drill head: mast pins and bolts secure, drill head condition, winch and wire ropes, kelly bar or drill rods, centraliser or guide.
- Hydraulics: rams and cylinders (no leaks), hoses secure (no chafing), connections and couplings, hydraulic gauges.
- Cab and controls: cabin access and housekeeping, seatbelt, mirrors and camera, wipers and washers, gauges and displays.
- Safety devices: fire extinguisher, first aid kit, emergency stops, guards and handrails, beacon or strobe.
- Lights and electrics: headlights and work lights, indicators, battery terminals.
- Overall result, defects table, operator and supervisor sign-off.
How to conduct drill rig pre-start inspections
- Complete drill rig and operator details at the top of the checklist, including the hours reading.
- Perform a walk-around inspection before entering the cab. Check for leaks, damage, debris and ground stability around the rig.
- Go through each checklist item and inspect the corresponding component. Mark Pass or Fail (and add notes if needed).
- If any item fails, note it and do not operate the drill rig until it is rectified or approved. Report defects per your procedures.
- Sign and date when the check is complete. Keep the form for your records or export/save as PDF.
In MapTrack, you can turn this (or your own) checklist into a digital form completed on mobile. Results and photos attach to each drill rig, and failed items can trigger work orders so the rig is not available until it is cleared. Book a demo to see how.
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Back to download formHow often to complete a drill rig pre-start
Complete a drill rig pre-start inspection before each use or at the start of each shift. If the drill rig has been relocated to a new site, has had repairs, or was used by another operator, perform a fresh check. Many construction and mining sites require a daily pre-start for all plant and equipment. Your company policy, site rules or contract may specify additional frequency. When in doubt, complete the checklist each time the drill rig is used.
Frequently asked questions
- What should a drill rig pre-start inspection cover?
- A drill rig pre-start inspection should cover a walk-around (general condition, leaks, ground stability), engine and fluids (oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, fuel, air filter, DEF/AdBlue), tracks and undercarriage (tension, sprockets, rollers, idlers, pads, debris), mast and drill head (mast pins and bolts, drill head condition, winch and wire ropes, kelly bar or drill rods, centraliser or guide), hydraulics (rams and cylinders, hoses, connections, gauges), cab and controls (cabin access, seatbelt, mirrors, wipers, gauges and displays), safety devices (fire extinguisher, first aid kit, emergency stops, guards and handrails, beacon or strobe), and lights and electrics (headlights, work lights, indicators, battery terminals).
- How often should a drill rig be inspected?
- A drill rig should receive a pre-start inspection before each use or at the start of each shift. If the rig has been relocated to a new site, has had repairs, or was used by another operator, perform a fresh check. Your company policy, site rules or contract may specify additional frequency. Always follow the most stringent requirement.
- What qualifications are needed to operate a drill rig?
- In Australia, drill rig operators generally require a Statement of Attainment for the relevant unit of competency (e.g. RIIMPO318F - Conduct civil construction drilling operations, or a similar unit depending on drill type). Some drill rigs with crane functions may also require a High Risk Work Licence. Requirements vary by state and territory. Check your local WHS regulations and always verify operator competency before allowing use.
- Is the template free to use without MapTrack?
- Yes. You can download and use the drill rig pre-start checklist template for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print and Save as PDF to keep a copy. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital pre-starts tied to each drill rig with work orders and audit trails, we'd be happy to show you MapTrack.
Need digital pre-starts attached to each drill rig?
Build forms in MapTrack by describing them to AI, uploading an existing form, or using a template. Pre-starts live on the asset with evidence and work orders.